Free Willy

Free Willy
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Simon Wincer
Screenplay by	Keith A. Walker Corey Blechman
Story by	Keith A. Walker
Produced by	Jennie Lew Tugend Lauren Shuler Donner
Starring	Jason James Richter Lori Petty Jayne Atkinson August Schellenberg Michael Madsen
Cinematography	Robbie Greenberg
Edited by	O. Nicholas Brown
Music by	Basil Poledouris
Production companies	Le Studio Canal+ Regency Enterprises Alcor Films Donner/Shuler-Donner
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	July 16, 1993 (1993-07-16)
Running time	112 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$20 million[1]
Box office	$153.7 million[2]

Free Willy is a 1993 American family drama film, directed by Simon Wincer, produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Jennie Lew Tugend, written by Keith A. Walker and Corey Blechman from a story by Walker and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures under their Family Entertainment imprint. The film stars Jason James Richter in his film debut, Lori Petty, Jayne Atkinson, August Schellenberg, and Michael Madsen with the eponymous character, Willy, played by Keiko.

The story is about a 12 year old orphaned boy named Jesse who befriends a captive orca, Willy, at an ailing amusement park. When he discovers that the park owner has been planning to dispose of Willy, he hatches a scheme to break Willy out of captivity.

Released on July 16, 1993, the film received positive attention from critics and was a commercial success, grossing $153.7 million from a $20 million budget. It grew into a small franchise, including an animated television series, two sequels, and a direct-to-video reboot in addition to inspiring the rehabilitation and release of Keiko. The film marked Keith A. Walker's only film as screenwriter, and last project before his death in late December 1996.